Boat-detaching apparatus.



vNo. 64I,7|4. Patented lan. 23, |900. A. MAY.

BOAT DETAGHING APPARATUS.

(Application iled May' 31, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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j gm Ens co. Puo-rauwe.. wAsHxNnToN u c @Nunn rnrns AUGUST MAY, OF HAMBURG, GERMANY.

BOAT-DETACHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,714, dated January 23, 1900.

Application tiled May 31,1899. Serial No. 718,817. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom/ it may concerne/f Be it known that I, AUGUST MAY, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at Hamburg, in the German Empire, have invented new and useful Improvements in Boat-Lowering Apparatus, (for which I have made applications for patents in Germany, dated March 1'7, 1899; in Great Britain, dated April 22, 1899; and German design patent, dated April 21, 1899,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to adevice by means of which life-boats and the like may be lowered into the Water without danger to the occupants and with far greater certainty than has hitherto been possible.

With lowering devices for boats as hitherto constructed there has always been the danger that an on-coming sea may drive the boat against the side of the vessel and so stave itin if the time of lowering is not so chosen that a receding sea will carry it away from the vessel. It has not been possible up to the present time, however, to regulate the operation of lowering in accordance with the movements of the waves,as in employing theknown devices the boat cannot be released from the tackle until it is resting upon the water and a considerable amount of skill is required in order to release both supports at the same moment. It has therefore been necessary to attend solely to the casting free of the boat without attending to the action of the waves, so thata successful launch from the side of the vessel has been almost a matter of chance.

The object of this invention is to remedy this defect, and it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a general view of the suspension device. Fig. 2 shows the releasing device. Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement of the device upon one of the blocks. Fig. 4. is a front elevation of the tackle-block. Figs. 5 and 6 show the suspension and release of the chains from the tackle, and Fig. 7 illustrates one of the bearings of the releasing-shaft in section.

As regards the tackle, the body a of the lower blocks is modified by the addition of downwardly-projecting lugs c. Both pulleyblocks are then rigidly connected by means of the transverse connection d, Fig. 1. This transverse connection consists of a tube or sleeve in which a rod e is loosely mounted in such a manner as to be capable of rotation.

A fixed iron frame f,.Fig. 3, is fastened by means of rivets or screws between the lugs c, and by means of its end lianges g `the sleeve d is rigidly connected both with the lugs c and the iron frame f. The rod e is passed through the framework c f and is capable of rotation in the bearing h. In order to prevent lateral play, the ends of the rod are provided with heads t'.

That portion of the rod e which lies freely in the opening in the bearing-frame is provided with a projecting pin j, upon which the last link of the boats suspension-chain l is passed. This link 7a is of' curved formation in order that it may adapt itself to the curvature of the rod. The position of the pins at both ends is the same--that is to say, vertical.

The position of the pins, or rather the locking of the rod e, is insured in the following manner: A lever m, Fig. 2, which projects through a slot n in a reinforcing part oand which is capable of displacement around its pivot m, engages by means of a suitable aperture over a pin q, and is itself secured by the insertion of a pin p.

By the use of this device a boat is released inthe following manner: The pin q is removed as soon as the order is given. The lever m is raised until it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod e, whereupon the lever is drawn down in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. The rod e then rotates in the sleeve d and in the bearings in the walls of the framework f and lugs c, so that the pin j assumes the position indicated in Fig. 6. The suspension -chains or the fast links 7c thereof then simultaneously slide downA free from the pins. The intervals of time, however short, which have hitherto elapsed between the releasing of the two ends of a boat have been a fruitful cause of most serious accidents. By means of this invention this defect is entirely obviated. In addition to this, however, the device which forms the subject Vof this invention presents many advantages which constitute a marked advance as compared with the devices hitherto employed for this purpose. For instance, the possibility is aorded of releasing the boat before it has actually reached the water, thus enabling,r the force of a receding wave to be utilized without waiting until the boat has completely reached the water. lf it is desired to utilize such a wave in this manner, the lever is released, the weight of the boat itself exercising a tendency, by means of the end links 7c, to cause the pins]` to rotate, and thus automatically release the boat. It is therefore obvious that far greater opportunity is afforded for profiting by moments which are favorable to launching a boat without danger than is the case with the devices at present in use.

Afurther advantage of the device hereinbefore described consists in the fact that it also facilitates the hoisting in of boats. As soon as both the end links of the suspensionchains have been passed upon the pins j the lever m may be raised and secured and the boat is then fast. Both of the tackles are instantly seized together in such a manner that neit-her one 0f them is able to swing to and fro separately, and thus render the boat liable not to be swung clear or even to be dashed against the side of the vessel. The hoisting of the boat proceeds without hindrance, as it is impossible that the tackle can become twisted or jammed.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In boat-lowering apparatus, the combination with the davit and tackle, of lower blockshavingdownward extensions,rotatable connecting-rod between said blocks and having bearings in said extensions, chain-supporting pins in said rod, and means for locking and releasing said rod, substantially as set forth.

2. In boat-lowering apparatus, the combination with the davits and tackle, of lower blocks having downward extensions, rotatable connecting-rod between said blocks and having bearings in said extensions, chain-supporting pins in said rod, and means for locking and releasing said rod, consisting of a collar, a pin Working through said collar, a lever for operating said pin and means for locking said lever, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.v

AUGUST MAY.

Witnesses:

E. H. L. MUMnENl-IOFF, OTTO W. HELLMRICH. 

